Isolated hepatic tuberculosis presenting as hydatid cyst.

Primary hepatic tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis even in highly endemic countries. The incidence of hepatic tuberculosis has increased in the recent years due to high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Radiological imaging is an important tool for making the diagnosis, but often the imaging findings are non-specific and may mimic other benign or malignant hepatic diseases. We report a case of 54-year-old woman who was detected to have hepatic mass on radiological imaging which was misdiagnosed as hydatid cyst. Intraoperatively, the characteristic features of hydatid cyst were absent. A partial resection of this cystic mass was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed granulomatous inflammation consisting of histiocytes and Langhans-type giant cells surrounded by lymphocytes suggestive of hepatic tuberculosis. The patient was administered antitubercular therapy for 1 year. Repeat imaging on follow up showed disappearance of the hepatic lesion.

A case of hepatic tuberculosis: A tuberculoma.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and its eradication in the United States has stalled for the first time in decades. Isolated hepatic TB is an extremely uncommon form of extrapulmonary TB. Here we present a case of a tuberculous liver abscess and suggest that TB should be considered in patients who fail to respond to antibiotics and prompt diagnostic intervention.

[Hepatic tuberculosis with the development of fibrosis and concomitant steatohepatitis].

Tuberculous lesions of the liver frequently occur in autopsy material, even though most of them are clinically unapparent. Pathogenetically, hepatic tuberculosis is a manifestation of general military tuberculosis with the infection brought in through the hematogenous route (through the hepatic artery or the portal system) as a result of intestinal or mesenteric lymph node tuberculosis. We report a case of combination of hepatic tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus in a young woman with reference to the clinical course of the disease, its diagnostics and treatment.

A rare case of isolated macronodular hepatic tuberculosis (Tuberculous) in an immunocompetent patient.

Tuberculosis is one of the most common and well described infectious diseases, with a world wide distribution and a vast spectrum of clinical manifestations. There are three forms of hepatic tuberculosis. Diffuse hepatic involvement with pulmonary or miliary tuberculosis, diffuse hepatic infiltration without recognizable pulmonary involvement is the second form and the third very rare form presents as a focal/local tuberculoma or abscess. In this case report we describe an unusual appearance of macronodular tuberculomas of the liver.

Isolated hepatic tuberculosis: a rare cause of hepatic mass lesions.

Hepatic tuberculosis usually accompanies pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Although isolated hepatic tuberculosis is a very rare condition, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a hepatic mass. Here, we report a 42-year-old woman presenting with weight loss, fever, night sweats, and a hepatic mass on the abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy demonstrated a caseating granuloma with epithelioid histiocytes and giant cells compatible with the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The patient was treated with four anti-tuberculous drugs for 1 year. She recovered clinically, and her post-treatment abdominal MRI was normal.

Tuberculosis: experience in a low endemic area Australian tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal tuberculosis (ATB) poses a significant diagnostic, management, and resource challenge. In Australia, an increasing number of tuberculosis (TB) cases are being reported, and we describe our experience of ATB in an Australian tertiary institution. METHODS: All diagnosed cases of tuberculosis (TB) at the Royal North Shore tertiary hospital campus of the University of Sydney are entered prospectively into a central registry. Cases of ATB encountered between September 1991 and November 2011 were identified and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In all, 841 cases of TB were identified, of which 20 were abdominal (2.4 %). Median age at presentation was 34 years (range: 22-79 years), and 55 % of patients were women. None of the patients were born in Australia and 11 patients were of South Asian origin. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (65 %). Diagnosis was based primarily on histology (90 % sensitivity), and the sensitivity of PCR analysis in this series was low (44 %). Eleven of the patients required laparoscopy or laparotomy. 40 % of cases involved the peritoneum, and disease was also seen in solid organs (liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal gland) and bowel (esophagus, small bowel, colon). CONCLUSIONS: In our local experience ATB was seen exclusively in the immigrant population. The presentation of ATB varies greatly, necessitating a high index of suspicion within the context of abdominal symptoms in high-risk groups. The role of surgical involvement is indispensable for both diagnosis and management of ATB-related complications. Surgeons should remain mindful of the diagnosis in an age of increasing worldwide incidence.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis refers to the localized form of hepatic tuberculosis and is a distinct entity in which hepatobiliary involvement overwhelmingly dominates the clinical picture. Presentations are often delayed, and manifestations can be nonspecific. Fever is the most common symptom followed by abdominal pain, and hepatomegaly is the most common abnormality found on clinical examination. Abnormalities of the liver function tests are non-specific and hence not diagnostic. Ultrasound or computed tomography reveals single or complex masses, and guided biopsy is diagnostic either by demonstrating caseating granuloma or the organism by staining and culture. Treatment is with standard first-line antituberculous drugs. Endoscopic stenting gives an excellent outcome for symptomatic biliary strictures. The outcome in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency virus depends on the level of underlying immunosuppression.

Isolated tuberculous liver abscess in a patient with asymptomatic stage I sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disorder characterized by non-caseating granulomas. Depressed cellular immunity predisposes patients to infections with certain intracellular organisms, mostly fungi, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Nocardia species. Isolated liver tuberculosis is a rare condition, and atypical clinical presentation challenges the clinical acumen of the treating physician. Liver sarcoidosis is usually unsuspected and confused with primary or metastatic liver carcinoma. We describe a case of isolated tuberculous liver abscess without pulmonary spread in a patient with asymptomatic stage I sarcoidosis.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) infection is still common today and remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Abdominal TB is one of the most prevalent forms of extrapulmonary manifestations, and collectively refers to gastrointestinal, splenic, pancreatic, hepatobiliary and abdominal lymphadenopathy involvement. The manifestation can be nonspecific, and mimics many conditions, including malignancies. Biliary involvement is extremely rare. It can directly involve or be a result of external compressions or extension from adjacent organs. Strictures can be simple or multiple and isolated or complex. Radiologically, it is difficult to exclude cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatic involvement is more common and is categorised as the miliary or isolated local type. Both can be further sub-divided into nodular or diffuse forms. The manifestations range from abscesses and tuberculomas to hepatic calcifications. Calcifications range from small isolated specks to gross calcification with or without hepatic atrophy. The diagnosis of hepatobiliary TB (HBTB) can be difficult. Ultrasonography and computed tomography are the main radiological investigations. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is important in the management of biliary TB. It is often important to look for the involvement of other organs and consider the coexistence of other pathologies such as malignancies. This pictorial essay reviews some of the HBTB infections that have been encountered in our tertiary referral centre.

Chest wall abscess: an atypical presentation of isolated tuberculous liver abscess.

The incidence of hepatic tuberculosis is increasing with the resurgence of tuberculosis due to the emergence of multi drug resistant strains and to an increased prevalence of human immune-deficiency virus infection. In contrast, isolated tuberculous liver abscess (TLA) is extremely uncommon with a prevalence of 0.34% in patients with hepatic tuberculosis. We describe a case of isolated TLA in a 32-year-old immune-competent man, who presented with a painless lump in the right posterior chest wall. Fine needle aspiration revealed acid fast bacilli (AFB), computed tomogram of the thorax showed a hepatic abscess in the segments 6 and 7 communicating with the posterior chest wall. The presentation of TLA may be atypical and diagnosis remains elusive unless hepatic involvement is revealed by imaging and AFB is demonstrated in the aspirated pus or necrotic material. Open drainage of the superficial component of the abscess along with antituberculosis treatment resulted in the resolution of the abscess.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis: a review of presentations and outcomes.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis (HTB) is uncommon and can be difficult to diagnose. We present our experience with HTB (over a 10-year period). Fourteen patients were identified from a total of 1888 cases of tuberculosis (TB) infection during this period. Five patients had isolated organ involvement [hepatic (n=3) and biliary (n=2)], and 9 had multiorgan involvement [2 organs (n=7) and 3 organs (n=2)]. The overall annual incidence ranged from 0.0% to 1.05% of all TB infections. Common clinical presentations were weight loss (64%), loss of appetite (64%), abdominal pain (57.1%), fever (50%), jaundice (42.3%), and abdominal distension (14.3%). The median delay from symptom onset to presentation was 40.5 days (range, 7-730 days), and from first presentation to diagnosis was 15 days (range, 1-420 days). Malignancy was initially suspected in 86%. Chest radiographic changes consistent with pulmonary TB were seen in 29% (n=4). Two had active pulmonary TB. Adverse effects of treatment occurred in 42.9%, mainly drug-induced hepatitis and nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Three patients with biliary involvement required long-term biliary stenting. The overall mortality was 14%. In conclusion, HTB is uncommon and is often associated with other organ involvement. Presentation is often delayed, which may lead to significant morbidity and mortality.

Disseminated tuberculosis presenting as hemobilia, successfully treated by arterial embolization.

Tuberculosis, specially disseminated tuberculosis, involves the liver frequently. Focal hepatic tuberculosis with local hemorrhage has been reported. We report on a twenty-one year female with disseminated tuberculosis presenting with initially non-localisable massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding, subsequently found to have pancreatitis, right sided pleural effusion and hemobilia which was treated successfully.

Tuberculous liver abscess: a case report and review of literature.

Tuberculous liver abscess is rare worldwide. We report a 45-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. Ultrasound and computed tomography of the abdomen showed multiple cystic lesions in the liver. Ultrasound guided needle aspiration revealed yellowish brownish aspirate, which was flooded with acid-fast bacilli. The abscess was drained under ultrasound guidance. Subsequent abdominal ultrasound a few days later showed resolution of the abscess cavity. He was concomitantly started on systemic antituberculous therapy. A tuberculous liver abscess has to be thought of in the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses and to consider the role of percutaneous drainage along with systemic antituberculous chemotherapy as an alternative to surgery in the management. A greater awareness of this clinical entity is required for successful treatment.

Solitary tuberculous abscess of liver.

Tuberculous liver abscess (TLA) is an extremely rare condition even in the country where tuberculosis is an alarming public health problem. Here a case of TLA is reported from Nepal with diagnostic and management principles and review of literature.

Sonographic appearances and percutaneous management of primary tuberculous liver abscess.

Primary tuberculous liver abscesses are rare. We report on 3 patients who presented with a nonresolving abscess in the liver. Clinical presentation and sonographic findings in each case were nonspecific. A diagnosis of tuberculosis was established with microbiologic examination of pus in 2 cases and examination of an excised abscess wall in 1 case. Needle aspiration (1 patient) and short-term (72 hours) catheter drainage (1 patient) were unsuccessful, and surgical excision was required in these patients. In the third patient, continuous catheter drainage over 18 days resulted in cure, indicating that long-term catheter drainage with antituberculous chemotherapy may be a viable alternative to surgery in the management of primary tuberculous liver abscess.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is known to involve the liver in different ways. The term hepatobiliary tuberculosis refers to the localized form of hepatic tuberculosis as a distinct clinical entity, with signs and symptoms related to the hepatobiliary tract. Its clinical features and the different diagnostic aids used in its diagnosis are reviewed. Plain abdominal radiographs showing diffuse hepatic calcifications seen in approximately 50% of cases are almost diagnostic for hepatobiliary tuberculosis. Liver biopsies obtained either by ultrasound, computed tomography or laparoscopy, showing caseating granuloma usually establish the diagnosis. In the absence of caseation necrosis, a positive acid-fast bacillus (AFB) or culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is needed to establish the diagnosis. A polymerase chain reaction assay for the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in liver biopsy specimens is a new development. Treatment is similar to that used for pulmonary tuberculosis. Quadruple therapy (using four anti-tuberculosis drugs) is recommended, generally for 1 year. For patients with obstructive jaundice, in addition to anti-tuberculous treatment, biliary decompression should be performed either by stent insertion during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatology, by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or by surgical decompression whenever feasible.